Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 239

Lauren looked at Erica, "Erica, you're a real lifesaver. You've got her asleep in no time."

"Ines may seem tough as nails on the outside and likes to keep her emotions under wraps, but in reality, she's soft as a marshmallow and lacks security. We can't let her bottle up her feelings. We need her to let it out and have a good cry. Otherwise, it might mess up her mental health."

Lauren nodded in agreement.

Erica told Jacob and Lauren, "You guys hurry off and do your thing. I can keep an eye on Izzy."

"Erica, don't you have to sort out stuff for the Meyer Group? You go and do what you need to do. I'll take good care of Izzy. I promise you'll come back to find her safe and sound." Lauren said.

"I've already sorted out the office stuff this morning. If there are any new files, Lucas will send them straight over. I plan to stay here for the next few days, with Izzy." Erica insisted. Her mind was always elsewhere at work and worked at a snail's pace. She was better off here with Izzy.

Lauren wanted to say more, but Jacob cut her off.

"Alright, we'll take your word for it. Give us a shout if you need any help."

Erica nodded and said with a smile, "Sure, I won't hold back."

After Jacob and Lauren left, Erica told Phillip to head home too, "You head home too. I've got it covered here. I'll bunk with Camela tonight. There's no spare room here. You'll have nowhere to sleep if you stay."

"I'll hang around for a bit longer until Izzy wakes up," Phillip said. He was restless without seeing Izzy.

Ethan came back in the evening.

Hunter's send-off was planned for three days later. The burial plot was one Hunter had picked out for himself a long time ago to be buried with Ines's mother. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

When he entered the door, Ethan asked about Ines's condition. Hearing Erica say she'd had a good cry, a small smile appeared on his face.

Seeing the exhaustion written all over her son's face, Erica said tenderly, "Ethan, you've been running around all day. Go and rest up a bit. I'll be here the whole day."

Ethan nodded and entered the bedroom. Ines was sleeping peacefully this time, with no crying, no frowning, just like she usually did.

Ethan bent down and kissed her forehead gently, then held her as he fell asleep.

When Ines woke up, she found Ethan lying next to her. His brow was slightly furrowed, and the dark circles under his eyes were noticeable. She gently stroked his face out of concern.

She stirred slightly, causing Ethan's eyelashes to flutter.

Ines whispered, "Ethan, go back to sleep, don't worry, I'm okay."

Ethan didn't move, continuing to sleep soundly.

Ines lost her sleepiness and closed her eyes to think about stuff. She reflected on her experiences since returning to A City half a year ago, realizing she had been in denial. Where there's no love, there's no hate. All the resentment she felt toward Hunter was really rooted in the love she deliberately downplayed and ran away from.

In fact, she had forgiven him a long time ago.

Ethan opened his eyes and saw Ines looking at him intently, "When did you wake up? Why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't want to disturb your sleep. You look exhausted," Ines answered truthfully.

Ethan sat up and gently pinched her face, "Let's get up and eat something. Mom told me you haven't eaten much today."

Ines smiled, "I think I am a bit peckish."

Before eating, Ines had some fruit and a small bowl of soup, but her morning sickness was severe, the fruit didn't do much good, and she threw up everything she had eaten.

For the baby's sake, she forced herself to eat some vegetables, but no matter what she ate, she threw it up, which made her feel really sick.

Ethan felt really bad for her and felt helpless. He was infuriated and cursed the little one in her belly, regardless of whether they were his little princesses.

Seeing him all huffed and puffed, Ines tried to calm him down, "Ethan, don't worry. I've been through this before. It'll be alright. Camela says it might have to do with my emotions. Maybe it'll get better once I'm in a better mood."

Seeing that Ines was doing okay, Phillip returned to the Meyer Mansion.

A City has strict burial regulations, no burials are allowed, only cremations, and the ashes are then buried. On the day of the cremation, Silas notified them. Ethan took Ines to the funeral home. Hunter was lying there peacefully, dressed in a deep blue suit, still handsome and dashing, as if he was just sleeping. Seeing him like this, Ines covered her mouth, trying hard not to let her tears fall.

Ines looked at his peaceful face and couldn't help but reach out to touch him. The stiffness and coldness under her hand reminded her again that he was gone. Her gaze landed on the top of his head, where a lot of his hair had fallen out, revealing a bald spot. She had never noticed it before.

"That's from the chemotherapy a while ago. Some more might have fallen out during treatment." Silas told her.

Ines couldn't hold back any longer. Her tears fell like rain.

She sobbed, "Dad, I forgive you, I really do. Can't you stay? You haven't walked me down the aisle yet, and you haven't seen your grandchildren born. You haven't even named them yet. How could you just leave like this?"

Ines choked up, "You haven't taken the Galeana Group to its peak. How could you just leave like this?"

Seeing Ines like this, Ethan felt a deep pain in his heart. He held her tight, "Izzy, don't do this. Let him go. He won't suffer from the disease anymore after he's gone."

When Silas caught sight of Ines' condition, he couldn't help but let the tears fall again. He handed the tie to Ines, "Ms Ines, could you do Mr Galeana a solid and tie his tie one last time? He was always used to you doing it for him. When you left A City, he kept saying his tie never looked as good when he did it himself. He wishes you could tie it for him one more time."